Power steering fluid color

[Threxx~]

What color is the PS fluid (I suppose it's actually auto transmission fluid) in the 4runner?

My dealer tried to upsell me on a $120 flush when I took my 05 4runner (56k miles) in for front pads. They described it as 'black'.

When I got it back I looked at the reservoir and it is definitely very dark brown appearing from the outside. However if I open the PS fluid cap and look at a drop of the fluid I would describe it as very very light golden brown. Similar to brand new oil before you put it in the car.

So I guess my question is... what color was the fluid when it was new? Is it normal for it to be the color described above at this mileage?

 

[Threxx~]

Interestingly enough I found a picture I took of our 4runner's engine bay when it was fresh off the boat from Japan, and the color appears roughly the same as it does now in the reservoir (see container in lower right of pic).

What I can't compare is the color of the liquid inside when viewed as a droplet... but based on the similar exterior coloring... I doubt it's much different.

 

[4runnerman09]

if your engine bay is that clean i wouldn't think any fluids were bad because that looks like a brand new engine

 

[Threxx~]

if your engine bay is that clean i wouldn't think any fluids were bad because that looks like a brand new engine

That's a picture of it when it was new. I just pulled it up for comparison.